Reportedly the BCCI has a tentative schedule ready for the Indian Premier League 2020. The league is all set to be held from September 26 to November 08.
BCCI ready to host IPL
The cash-rich league which was initially scheduled for March 29 this year and postponed due to the pandemic outbreak, is reportedly going to be organized in the September-November window. The Board of Control for Cricket in India reportedly has zeroed down on a tentative schedule for the 13th season of IPL. From September 26 to November 8, the league with 60 games of this season might be hosted by the board. UAE is still one of the top contenders to host this edition of the league in case the league is taken outside India.
A final decision on the same will be taken only after the ICC’s final call on the upcoming T20 World Cup. The World Cup is still scheduled to be held Down Under from October 18 to November 15. The International Cricket Council is reportedly going to take a call on the same next month. BCCI wants IPL 2020 to be played between September 26 to November 08, a final decision on the schedule will be taken after the governing council meeting and ICC’s final decision on the fate of the T20 World Cup which is scheduled to take place in Australia this year from October 18 to November 15.
Clash with series in Australia
On the other hand, Star India, the broadcasting partner of IPL is not happy with the timing as according to a report of Times of India, the Star wants IPL to end in the Diwali weekend which is on November 14. But the board is more interested in ending the tournament a week earlier to ensure enough time for the Indian cricket team which will be traveling to Australia for the Test series scheduled to begin from December 3.
Although BCCI president Sourav Ganguly had earlier demanded a quarantine for players than 14 days in Australia, the Indian team will have to remain in 14-day quarantine ahead of the Test series to abide by the Australian government. An official revealed to Times of India, “If the IPL concludes by November 8, the team can fly to Australia by the 10th, undergo COVID tests and start practice and warm-up matches so that the first Test can begin as scheduled. Also, India might want to play a day-night warm-up game ahead of the proposed day-night Test, and that will add days to the schedule.”
